Village of Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2016 Update

Transcription

Village of Angel Fire Community Wildfire
Protection Plan
2016 Update
Village of Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan: 2016 Update
Prepared for
Village of Angel Fire
P.O. Box 610
Angel Fire, NM 87710
Prepared by
Forest Stewards Guild
2019 Galisteo St. Suite N-7
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Telephone: 505.983.8992; Fax: 505.986.0798
www.forestguild.org
Matt Piccarello, MCRP, MWR
Alexander Evans, PhD
Eytan Krasilovsky, MES
Village of Angel Fire 2016 CWPP Update
TableofContents
Executivesummary.................................................................................................................1
Introduction..............................................................................................................................2
1|Accomplishmentssince2009CWPP............................................................................3
PublicInformationandInvolvement.........................................................................................3
ReducingStructureIgnitability....................................................................................................5
FuelsTreatment................................................................................................................................7
EvacuationPlanning.......................................................................................................................11
FireDepartmentCapacity[Theitemsnotedherearespecifictowildlandfire
needs.].................................................................................................................................................12
2|Communityhazardratingsandpriorityrankings...............................................13
Areasofspecialinterest................................................................................................................17
3|Prioritiesfor2016andbeyond...................................................................................19
FireadaptedcommunitiesandFirewisecommunities......................................................19
CWPPimplementationandactionitems.................................................................................20
4|Companionplancrosswalk..........................................................................................28
HazardMitigationPlan..................................................................................................................28
Comprehensiveplan......................................................................................................................29
5|Wildfirepreparedness...................................................................................................30
Ingressandegress..........................................................................................................................30
Smokeimpacts.................................................................................................................................30
Communication................................................................................................................................30
CommunityEmergencyResponseTeam.................................................................................30
Evacuation.........................................................................................................................................31
5|Planningforpost-firerecovery...................................................................................34
6|Collaborationandpublicparticipation....................................................................36
7|References..........................................................................................................................39
AppendixA:Residentsurveyresponses.......................................................................40
Map1 Critical facilities and fuels reduction treatments……………………………………………9
Map 2 Restoration and fuels treatments on adjacent lands……………………………………….10
Table 1 Community hazard ratings and priority rankings ............................................................. 14
Map 3 Community hazard ratings………………………………………………………………...16
Table 2 Areas of special interest relative physical hazard ratings and priority rankings .............. 17
Map 4 Areas of special interest………………………..………………………………………….18
Figure 1 Elements of a fire adapted community………………………………………………….19
Table 3 Priority action items for 2016 and beyond........................................................................ 21
Figure 2 Fire Adapted Communities infographic………………………………………………...27
Table 4 Hazard mitigation plan impact and vulnerability score for wildfire ................................. 28
Map 5 Evacuation staging area…………………………………………………………………...32
Figure 3 National Flood Insurance Map from FEMA (panel 1100D) showing special flood hazard
areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood .................................................. 35
Table 5 2016 CWPP core team ...................................................................................................... 36
Table 6 2016 CWPP update meetings ........................................................................................... 36
Executive summary
The Village of Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan: 2016 Update identifies progress
made towards wildfire risk reduction goals identified in the 2009 Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP), changes in community hazard ratings and priority rankings, and new priority
action items for making the Village of Angel Fire (Village) a more fire adapted community. The
2016 CWPP update was developed in collaboration with members of the CWPP core team, which
included Village officials, adjacent land management agencies, New Mexico State Forestry,
Village residents, and other stakeholders. The Village contracted with the Forest Stewards Guild,
a non-profit organization with a branch located in Santa Fe, New Mexico to lead the 2016 CWPP
update.
Since 2009, the Village has made significant progress towards making the community more fire
adapted. Notable accomplishments include but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The creation of a Village Wildfire Protection Committee, now referred to as the
Firewise Committee reflecting a change in priorities to attain a Firewise designation for
the Village
Defensible space thinning on private lots throughout the village funded by various
grants awarded to the Village
The Village of Angel Fire Fire Department reduced their ISO rating from 7 to 5
The Village supported several fuels reduction projects on adjacent public lands
including prescribed burns on nearby State Trust Land in 2013 and 2014
144 acres of fuels reduction thinning along roadways within the Village
Increased capacity to dispose of green waste generated from defensible space and fuels
reduction projects
Many of the priority action items identified in the 2009 CWPP are ongoing and therefore still
relevant for the 2016 CWPP update. For example, educating residents about forest health and fire
prevention is a process that will continue to evolve as new residents arrive and methods of
outreach change. New priority action items identified by the CWPP core team, residents, and
other stakeholders include but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pursue Firewise designation for the Village of Angel Fire
Establish an association of neighborhoods for the Village of Angel Fire
Engage with neighborhood representatives on wildfire preparedness and fuels reduction
projects
Conduct a lot-by-lot assessment of wildfire hazard within the Village
Work with neighborhood representatives to develop action items and priority treatments
on the neighborhood level scale
Conduct an evacuation drill within the village
Work with neighboring communities (Black Lake, Guadalupita, etc.) to utilize green
waste generated from fuels reduction projects, e.g. fire wood, wood chips, etc. at little or
no cost to interested participants
1
Introduction
In accordance with the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003, the Village of Angel
Fire (Village) completed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in 2009. The 2009
CWPP addressed the three core requirements identified in the HFRA, 1) identifying and
prioritizing fuels reduction opportunities across the landscape, 2) addressing structure ignitability,
and 3) collaborating with stakeholders. The New Mexico Fire Planning Task Force recommends
that CWPPs be updated every five years in order to assess new hazards and monitor progress
made since the last CWPP update. Building community resilience to wildfire requires an adaptive
approach that uses the lessons of the past to inform future management. In 2015, the Village was
awarded a wildfire risk reduction grant from the New Mexico Association of Counties to fund the
2016 update. The Village contracted the Forest Stewards Guild, a non-profit organization based
in Santa Fe, New Mexico to lead the update.
In 2015, the New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC), in collaboration with the Forest
Stewards Guild, developed guidelines for updating CWPPs. The guidelines outline the process for
updating existing CWPPs as follows:
1. Review existing CWPP
2. Host collaborative meetings
3. Update maps
4. Reflect changes in risk ratings due to complete projects or changes in landscape
5. Develop updated priorities
6. Distribute CWPP update drafts to key stakeholders (including local, state, tribal, and
federal partners) for review and input before the final approval
7. Submit the final document to your local government body, local fire department(s) and
State Forestry for required signatures and endorsement
8. Once signed and endorsed by your local governing parties, submit all documentation to
NM State Forestry no later than September 1st for final approval by the New Mexico Fire
Planning Task Force
The 2015 CWPP update guidelines also recommend that updates include sections on planning for
wildfire preparedness (during a wildfire) and post-fire recovery. Post-fire effects, such as flooding
and erosion, can often be as bad or worse than the damage sustained during the fire itself. By
planning ahead of time, communities can expedite the restoration process and take an active,
rather than reactionary, role in post-fire recovery.
In addition to the items listed above, CWPPs and updates must also include the following
elements:
1. Collaboration: A CWPP must be collaboratively developed by local and state
government representatives, in consultation with federal agencies and other interested
parties.
2. Prioritized fuel reduction: A CWPP must identify and prioritize areas for hazardous
fuel reduction treatments and recommend the types and methods of treatment that will
protect one or more at-risk communities and essential infrastructure.
3. Reduce structural ignitability: A CWPP must recommend measures that homeowners
and communities can take to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the area
addressed by the plan.
4. Secure signatures: A CWPP must include secure signatures from the following
parties:
a. The applicable local government (i.e., counties or cities);
2
b. The local fire department(s); and
c. The state entity responsible for forest management.
This update is divided into six sections that build on the 2009 CWPP. Section one provides an
overview of accomplishments and progress made since the 2009 CWPP. Section two addresses
updates to community hazard ratings based on changes that have or have not occurred in
communities at risk. Section three identifies priority action items recommended by community
members and village officials that will help make the Village of Angel Fire a more fire adapted
community. Section four makes recommendations for ways to improve preparedness during a
wildfire event. Section five outlines key elements necessary for planning for post-fire recovery
proactively, rather than after a wildfire occurs. Section six summarizes the collaborative process
that guided this document.
1| Accomplishments since 2009 CWPP
The Village of Angel Fire and adjacent land jurisdictions have made significant progress on many
of the action items identified in the 2009 CWPP. This section will provide an overview of
progress made towards each action item focus area identified in the 2009 CWPP. There are four
focus areas—Public Information and Involvement, Reducing Structure Ignitability, Fuels
Treatment, and Evacuation Planning—which are outlined as underlined headings below. Action
items for each focus area are listed in italics.
Public Information and Involvement
1. Educate homeowners and potential contractors (home-building, forest thinning, etc.) about
forest health and fire prevention.
2. Coordinate with community groups and area Firewise organizations to promote fire
prevention, fuels treatment and defensible space.
3. Create a group to develop fire prevention and hazard reduction messages and methods to
promote community awareness and minimize the effects of a wildfire on the economy and
environment.
4. Conduct fire prevention campaigns during times when fire danger is high. Use newspapers,
radio messages and signs to alert visitors and residents alike.
Several efforts have been successful in educating homeowners and other stakeholders about forest
health and fire prevention in the Village. Prominent examples include:
•
•
•
•
The appointment of a Wildfire Protection Committee in 2014. More information about
the Wildfire Protection Committee is included in number 3 of this section.
Public meetings held ahead of and after the 2013 and 2014 Black Lake Prescribed fires,
which were implemented six miles south of the Village on State Trust land. Residents
had an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the use of prescribed fire near their
community. Residents also learned about how prescribed fire is used as a restoration and
risk reduction tool to protect communities.
Association of Angel Fire Property Owners meetings covered such topics as defensible
space treatments and fuels reduction treatments in Village greenways.
During fire season, the Village’s marquee is used to alert residents of fire danger during
fire season.
3
•
Agreement reached with the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle for a newspaper spot with public
announcements.
The Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities (CCCFC) has been active in educating
area residents about ways to reduce the risk of wildfire to their homes and communities. Members
of the CCCFC were active participants in the core team for the 2016 Angel Fire CWPP update.
Scott Jones, president of the CCCFC is also a member of the Village of Angel Fire Wildfire
Committee (http://www.angelfirenm.gov/departments/page/44/Wildfire-Protection-Committee/).
To date, there are 9 Firewise communities in Colfax County, which are listed below:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Taos Pines Ranch
Hidden Lake
Elk Ridge
Aspen Hill
*Lakeview Pines
Ute Park
Idlewild
Green Valley
Vermejo Park
*Firewise designation achieved since 2009
In addition to the communities listed above, CCCFC also has working relationships with
Cimarron, the Philmont Scout Ranch, and the Taos Ski Valley. Cimarron’s certification as a
Firewise community is currently in progress. While they were previously recognized as Firewise,
their certification lapsed and so they have begun the process to regain their status.
CCCFC has been instrumental in
addressing one of the primary
challenges related to fuels reduction
and defensible space treatments: slash
disposal. CCCFC coordinates chipper
days throughout the year to help
communities dispose of slash from
fuels reduction treatments. CCCFC
works
with
partner,
Firewise
communities to coordinate their
chipper days, including working with
Larry Osborn, the Colfax County Fire
Marshal, to loan out the county
chipper. Few communities have access
Photo: Joe Stehling
to their own chipper so this
coordination and sharing of resources Image 1 Hidden Lake Firewise Community chipper day
sets an excellent example for other
communities looking to dispose of slash.
The community of Hidden Lake has plans to purchase an air curtain burner through a grant from
the New Mexico Association of Counties, which will provide another method for slash disposal.
Hidden Lake has agreed to loan the air curtain burner to other Firewise Communities for a small
fee that will offset the costs of maintenance and transportation.
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CCCFC has also worked to educate local residents on how to be better prepared in the event of a
wildfire. CCCFC has coordinated “train the trainer” workshops on the Ready, Set, Go! Program
(http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/). In May 2015, CCCFC posted an informational video on
Youtube titled “Saving the Mountain, Saving Your Home”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI8jvrPayT8). The video provides an overview of why
forests in the Southwest are in need of restoration, steps homeowners can take to reduce the risk
of wildfire by implementing defensible space treatments, and the Ready, Set, Go! Program.
In July 2014 Village Mayor, Barbara Cottam, and the Village Council appointed a Wildfire
Protection Committee. The Committee was established to assist the mayor, council, and staff to:
1. Develop policy and ordinances for wildfire protection
2. Develop implementation plans for the Wildfire Protection Program
3. Provide education and outreach for the Wildfire Protection Program
The committee meets regularly on the second Monday of the month at 1:00pm at Angel Fire
Village Hall. Since 2009, the committee has changed its name to the Village Firewise Committee
to reflect the goal of attaining Firewise designation for the Village. The Committee has made
progress towards their goals in several ways. In the summer of 2014 and 2015, the Committee
hosted open houses for residents to learn about the Village’s wildfire protection program.
Attendees had an opportunity to ask questions of Village officials and other experts about steps
they could take to reduce their risk. Each open house had about sixty attendees. The Firewise
Committee has also been featured in articles written in the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle about
wildfire preparedness, met with community leaders from the Rotary Club and Chamber of
Commerce, and with local realtors who are in a unique position to educate potential homebuyers
about the risks associated with living in a fire adapted ecosystem.
Several groups including the Angel Fire Fire Department, the Firewise Committee, and the
CCCFC conduct outreach campaigns to alert residents during high fire danger times. The Angel
Fire Fire Department (https://www.facebook.com/groups/380148192364/) and the CCCFC
(https://www.facebook.com/CCCFWC/?fref=ts) both maintain Facebook pages to share
information about wildfire preparedness and important details about ongoing wildfire events. The
Firewise
Committee
has
several
resources
available
on
their
webpage,
http://www.angelfirenm.gov/departments/page/44/Wildfire-Protection-Committee/.
Reducing Structure Ignitability
1. Expand the current Wildland Urban Interface provisions to existing structures. Develop
construction standards to reduce the vulnerability of wooden decks, especially on slopes.
Implement the provisions in the highest hazard and risk areas first. Thin vacant lots adjacent
to existing structures where needed to provide adequate defensible space.
2. Pursue state and federal grants that can support defensible space projects on both public and
private lands. Landowners and local government can provide cost share support.
3. Expand the slash disposal service to encourage homeowners to reduce wildland fuels on
undeveloped lots and to install and maintain defensible space around structures. Implement
incentives for slash fees to support thinning.
In 2010, the Village Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) ordinance was updated to apply fuels
reduction and defensible space provisions to existing structures as well as new construction. Since
5
2009, the Village has updated the building codes to conform to the International Fire Code.
Further updates to the ordinance were proposed in 2014, which included provisions for thinning
around driveways, pruning heights, and thinning vacant lots adjacent to existing homes. Many
community members in the Village rejected the 2014 update and as a result it has not been
approved. Public sentiment against the WUI ordinance, as well as challenges with managing slash
that would be generated from implementing it has resulted in the ordinance not being enforced.
The Village has received several grants aimed at reducing hazardous fuels around homes, along
roadways, and in greenways. In 2010, the Village received a Wildland Urban Interface and
Hazardous Fuels Reduction grant from the New Mexico State Forestry division to create
defensible space around homes and to thin along roadways. A forester was contracted to educate
homeowners and to provide assistance to the thinning contractor used for the project. Many
residents took part in the cost-share program. The Village also received funding from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for thinning of hazardous fuels. New Mexico State
Forestry also funded thinning near the boundaries of the Zia/Osha fire. The Village has also
established a register of thinning contractors who have successfully implemented projects and can
certify appropriate liability and workman’s compensation insurance.
The Village has a slash removal program to help landowners dispose of slash from thinning
projects. The program is funded by the wildfire protection fund, which assesses a fee from
resident utility bills. Since 2009, the Village has purchased a grapple truck to help with the
removal of larger material and has ordered a second grapple truck. In 2014, the Village received
funding from a Collaborative Forest Restoration Program grant to purchase a cordwood boiler
that uses woody debris to heat the transfer station.
Image 2. Participants at a 2014 New Mexico Wildland Urban
Interface Summit watch a demonstration of the Village's air
curtain burner
Photo: Matt Piccarello
Photo: Xavier Anderson
Piccarello
The Village owns an air curtain burner, but refinements in the permitting process are still needed
to take full advantage of this technology for green waste disposal. The air curtain burner was
purchased in 2003 in part with funds from a grant from New Mexico State Forestry.
Image 3. Cordwood boiler installed
outside of transfer station
6
Fuels Treatment
1. Expand the current Wildland Urban Interface provisions to existing undeveloped lots. Treat
the highest hazard and risk areas first. Consider requirements that emphasize thinning along
roadways and property lines and might not require thinning entire lots.
2. Conduct fuels reduction projects within or adjacent to the Village of Angel Fire based on the
community hazard rating and fire behavior analysis sections of this plan.
3. Pursue state and federal grants that can support fuels reduction projects on both public and
private lands within the Village. Landowners and local government can provide cost share
support.
4. Work with the Association of Angel Fire Property Owners (AAFPO) Amenities Committee to
conduct demonstration fuels reduction projects on the open space “green belt” trails
throughout the Village that they maintain.
5. Continue to participate in the Taos Canyon Collaborative Forest Restoration Program
(CFRP) Coalition as described in its Memorandum of Understanding between Taos Pueblo,
the Village of Angel Fire, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, National Renewable Energy LLC,
H.R. Vigil Small products, Urban Interface Solutions, and Amigos del Bosque, LLC.
6. Actively participate in the planning, evaluation and monitoring of all federal, state, tribal and
CFRP fuels treatment projects to assure agencies are working together to conduct high
priority projects that are effective and benefit the Village.
7. Consider supporting the USDA-Forest Service, Carson National Forest prescribed burn and
wildfire use programs, provided that community concerns for safety and smoke management
are understood and followed.
8. Encourage the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to participate in the
Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan implementation to provide a wildlife
management perspective.
As previously discussed, while updates to the WUI ordinance were approved in 2010 and
proposed in 2014, challenges remain to address issues related to slash management and public
approval of the ordinance before enforcement is fully implemented.
Map 1 and map 2 show fuels reduction treatments that have occurred in and around the village
since 2009. Defensible space treatments have been implemented by many landowners through a
cost-share grant program the Village received from New Mexico State Forestry. Table 1 in
section 2 of this document provides a brief overview of treatments that have occurred in each of
the communities with in the Village.
With funding from New Mexico State Forestry, thinning in the Village greenbelts has been
completed and is depicted as NMSF fire treatments in map 1. However, maintenance thinning is
needed in the future as vegetation regrows.
The Village has supported several forest restoration projects on State Trust and Forest Service
land that have reduced the risk of wildfire for the Village. These include several Collaborative
Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) Projects near Black Lake and New Mexico State Forestry
7
funded projects. Map 2 depicts nearby forest restoration treatments that have reduced the threat of
wildfire to the Village.
The Village worked successfully with the New Mexico State Land Office, the Forest Stewards
Guild (Guild), The Nature Conservancy and other partners to implement prescribed burns in 2013
and 2014 near Black Lake on State Trust lands. Both prescribed burns were funded by a CFRP
grant awarded to the Guild. There were pre and post burn public meetings where residents shared
their concerns, which included smoke impacts, and learned about using fire as a forest restoration
tool.
The Guild implemented several lessons
learned from 2013 to alleviate resident
concerns and improve communication. In
2014, the Guild utilized social media to
share information about the burn more
frequently and sent out a daily email
summary to keep residents informed
about burn operations. In 2014, the Guild
and local partners went door-to-door to
businesses in town to answer questions
from residents and to share information
about burn operations.
Image 1. A public notice about the 2014 Black Lake
Prescribed burn at Lowes grocery store in Angel Fire.
8
Figure 3: Critical Facilities
Map 1 Critical facilities and fuels reduction treatments
Critical facilities
64
MO
A IN
UNT
V IE
WB
Telephone Exchange
LV D
Village Hall
Angel Fire EMS
Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Electrical power
Substation
Water Well #1
Critical Facilities
Category
0.5
1
2
Miles
1
2
3
USFS / NMSF Fire Treatments
Flood Zone - FEMA
Angel Fire City Boundary
Angel Fire Community Boundary
Roads
Major
Arterial
Power Line
0
9
Map 2 Restoration and fuels reduction treatments on adjacent lands
F
0 0.2750.55
1.65
2.2
2.75
Miles
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,
AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community, Esri, HERE, DeLorme,
MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors
NM State Forestry planned treatments
NM State Forestry Treatments
Black Lake V CFRP
NEPA cleared
Black Lake III CFRP
Black Lake II CFRP
Black Lake I CFRP
Legend
Restoration treatments on adjacent lands
Angel Fire
4 miles
1.1
10
Evacuation Planning
1. Establish signs identifying evacuation routes. Routes could be color coded to simplify
instructions to the public.
2. Thin vegetation along roadways and at intersections where possible to create the greatest
potential for visibility during a wildfire. Refer to the fuels treatment section of this Plan for
more information.
3. Advise the public about evacuation routes and the pre-identified safety zones at the airport,
community center and golf course.
4. Use radio stations to disseminate emergency information and advise the public of their
importance as a primary source of information.
5. Ensure that area radio stations are aware of their importance as disseminators of emergency
messages, and regularly review and update procedures for authorizing such messages.
6. Investigate the potential use of warning systems such as emergency sirens, mass notification
systems (such as “Reverse 911), helicopter-mounted public address systems, etc.
7. Involve the Village Police Department, Colfax County Sherriff’s Department, State Police,
and other cooperators in reviewing current Emergency Operating Plans and conducting field
exercises.
8. Create handouts or messages advising the public about how to prepare for an evacuation.
Consider emphasizing that when getting ready to evacuate, people should remember the “5
P‟s: Pictures, Pets, Papers, Pills and Phones.”
The fuels treatment section of this document provides an overview of fuels reduction grants the
Village has received since 2009. In total, 144 acres have been thinned since 2009 along Village
roadways, improving ingress and egress for emergency vehicles and residents. Roadways that
have been thinned include: Agua Fria Circle, Agua Fria Drive, Back Basin Road, Buming Sky
Drive, El Camino Real, Panorama Overlook, Panorama Way, Peralta Circle, Peralta Drive, Royal
Avenue, Santo Domino Trail, South Vail Overlook, Spyglass Hill Road, Taos Drive, Trevino
Circle, Vail Avenue North, Vail Avenue South, Vail Overlook, Valle Grande Trail North, Via del
Rey, and Zia Road.
In the event of an emergency such as a wildfire, the Village has signage that can be used to guide
residents during an evacuation. To clarify the evacuation procedure for residents and to provide a
single meeting place, safety zones identified in 2009 have been replaced with a single evacuation
staging area for the 2016 CWPP update. In the event of an evacuation, residents will be directed
to the area behind Village hall and fire station #1. Map 5 shows the location of the evacuation
staging area and more information is included in the Wildfire preparedness section. The Village
has a draft evacuation plan in development that will provide greater detail about evacuation
procedures. Colfax County has an emergency notification system (reverse 911) that Village
residents can use to receive notifications. To sign up for this program, residents can go to this
website, https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/6AF053DCB942 and enter their contact
information.
11
Area Firewise communities, such as Taos Pines Ranch, have several resources available on their
websites related to wildfire preparedness. The Village Wildfire Committee also has resources
available for residents on their webpage
http://www.angelfirenm.gov/departments/page/44/Wildfire-Protection-Committee/.
Fire Department Capacity [The items noted here are specific to wildland fire needs.]
1. Improve the fire department’s Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating. Improved
firefighter response, fire equipment such as a ladder truck, additional fire stations and
additional water delivery and storage capacity should improve the fire department’s
Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating. An improved ISO rating will increase annual
fire department funding and reduce homeowner insurance rates.
2. Establish a position knowledgeable in forestry or natural resources to implement and enforce
WUI ordinances, obtain and manage WUI and hazardous fuels reduction grants, coordinate
fire prevention activities and public involvement such as the Firewise communities program,
and coordinate cooperator actions (including Forest Service, NM State Land Office, Taos
Pueblo, and local Colfax County groups).
3. Encourage the cross-training of area fire departments, local government officials and state
and federal agencies using the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage an emergency
incident.
4. Maintain the Enchanted Circle annual operating plan to coordinate area wildfire
management. An annual operating plan has been prepared cooperatively with local, state,
and federal government agencies.
5. Participate in interagency fire incidents to increase experience. Continue to participate in the
New Mexico Resource Mobilization Plan to gain experience conducting wildfire suppression
in wildland urban interface communities.
6. Conduct local, effective, and certified wildland fire trainings. Maintain wildland firefighter
qualifications.
7. Consider developing a regional training center. Reach out to regional cooperators such as
the Enchanted Circle, Raton Fire Department and Colfax and San Miguel County Fire
Departments.
8. Continue to improve water storage and delivery systems. Complete development of one
million gallon storage tank and connect the new storage into the existing water delivery
system. Study how power outages or other problems during a wildland fire would affect
water delivery.
The Angel Fire Fire Department has increased its capacity in several ways since 2009, resulting
in a reduced Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating from 7 to 5, which, in turn, can significantly
reduce insurance rates for residents. Accomplishments include the completion of the new Fire
Station number 2, and equipment purchases of a platform truck and Type 3 wildland urban
interface engine. Village fire fighters have also gained experience on many wildfires including
the White, Los Conchas, Wallow Canyon, Mayhill, Little Bear, Whitewater Baldy, Whites Peak,
and the Chalen Complex. Village fire fighters also participated in the 2013 and 2014 Black Lake
prescribed fires.
12
During the White Peaks Fire near Ocate, the Village Fire Department and other area fire
department including the Moreno Valley Fire Department worked together with the Colfax
County Sherriff’s office to alert residents of the possibility that they might need to evacuate. The
wildfire provided a unique opportunity for area fire and emergency managers to train for an
evacuation event during an ongoing incident.
As part of ongoing training efforts, Village fire fighters and members of the community
participated in a training led by Krys Nystrom of the Wildfire Network,
(www.wildfirenetwork.org) on Assessing Wildland Fire Risk in the Wildland Urban Interface in
July 2016. The training included methods for assessing lot-by-lot risk, which will help Village
firefighters and their community partners address action items identified in section 3 of this
document. The training focused largely on assessing the risk of individual home sites, evaluating
such site and construction features as driveway length, roof material, detached structures, and
topography. Home assessments educate both fire fighters and homeowners about wildfire risk and
mitigation steps homeowners can take that are easy to implement and do not involve cutting any
trees. For example, moving woodpiles out from under a deck or keeping pine needles from
accumulating on roof tops.
Image 5. Wood piles near propane tanks and
other structures increases fire risk
Image 4. Krys Nystrom of Wildfire Network
leads a homesite assessment training for the
Village
2| Community hazard ratings and priority rankings
Community hazard ratings for the 2016 CWPP update were re-assessed in collaboration with
members of the CWPP core team and through input from members of the public. The 2009
community hazard ratings (CHR) were developed using the Wildfire Hazard Rating System
model, which “combines physical infrastructure such as structure density and roads, and fire
behavior components like fuels and topography, with the field experience and knowledge of
wildland fire experts” (Angel Fire CWPP, 2009). In order to conform to New Mexico State
Forestry’s statewide CHR system, CHR for the Village of Angel Fire of high, medium, and low
were used in place of the 2009 ratings of extreme, very high, high, moderate, and low. It should
be noted that this change in rating does not necessarily reflect improvement or a reduction in risk.
13
Many of the factors that went into the 2009 CHR are relatively static and not subject to change,
such as topography. The reassessment for the 2016 update focused on dynamic factors of the
CHR, including fuels, community involvement, and road improvements to determine whether the
improvement or degradation of any of these factors warrants a change to the CHR. Core team
members and members of the public provided input and comment on the updated 2016 CHR.
Core team members were asked the following questions related to CHR for each community in
the Village of Angel Fire:
1. Have any access roads been added or taken away from the community?
2. Have there been any positive or negative changes to road conditions?
3. Have there been any fuels reduction projects in the community?
a. Are they older than 10 years?
b. Defensible space zone 1 treatments?
c. Fuel break?
d. Open space thinning?
4. Have there been any changes to community involvement, such as the creation or
dissolution of a firewise community?
Priority rankings help to guide fuels reduction and other efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire
faced by each community in the Village of Angel Fire. While reducing wildfire risk is important
in all communities within the Village, residents and Village officials may find it helpful to have
guidance for where to focus their efforts when faced with limited resources. After discussion with
core team members and members of the public, priority rankings for communities largely
remained the same as in the 2009 CWPP, but with two exceptions. First, due to a greater amount
of fuels reduction projects in the Vail Loop neighborhood, it was reduced to the second priority
ranking. Second, taking into consideration factors including a high concentration of wooden
structures, and the presence of youth during fire season, the Girl Scout priority ranking was
increased to number 8. Table 1 displays the priority rankings and CHR for 2009 and 2016 and
also includes notes on progress made since 2009. Map 3 shows each of the communities with
their associated CHR.
Table 1 Community hazard ratings and priority rankings
Community
Name
Back Basin
2009
Priority
Ranking
2
2016
Priority
Ranking
1
2009
Hazard
Rating
Very
High
2016
Hazard
Rating
High
Vail Loop
1
2
Very
High
High
El Camino
Real
3
3
Very
High
High
Changes since 2009
• Public Improvement District
added some new roads. Existing
roads have experienced some
deterioration
• Some defensible space zone 1
treatments and open space
thinning
treatments
• Thinning on major egress from
community
• Increased community
involvement, informal Firewise
group established
treatments
14
Taos Drive
4
4
High
High
South
Village
Valle
Grande
North
5
5
High
High
7
6
High
High
South East
Village
6
7
High
High
Girl Scout
Camp
13
8
Moderate
Medium
The Aspens
8
9
Moderate
Medium
North Via
del Rey
9
10
Moderate
Medium
Country
Club
10
11
Moderate
Medium
The Chalet
11
12
Moderate
Medium
Valley of
the Utes
12
13
Moderate
Medium
involvement
• Some thinning along roadways
treatments
• Thinning around primary egress
routes.
involvement
treatments
• Some open space thinning
• Road conditions have
deteriorated as they have been
converted back to gravel
involvement
• Improved access with the Valley
of the Utes development
treatments
• Forest service side of girl scout
camp, thinning, piles etc. Some
thinning on Girl Scout camp
property. Priority ranking raised
due to presence of youth during
fire season, density of wooden
structures, and potential ignition
sources (campfires)
• Some thinning on private land
(3-8 acres)
• New road created through Public
Improvement District
treatments
involvement
• Some thinning on individual lots.
involvement
treatments
treatments
• Some new roads improve access
15
Figure 1: Community Hazard Rating
Map 3 Community hazard ratings
Valley
Floor
MO
V IE
WB
South
Village
Valle
Grande
North
A IN
UNT
North Via
del Rey
Girl
Scout
Camp
Community hazard ratings
64
The
Aspens
Country
Club
LV D
Taos
Drive
South
East
Village
The
Chalet
Vail
Loop
Chalets
Unit 1A
Valley of
the Utes
Back
Basin
Angel Fire
Ski Area
El Camino
Real
Community Hazard Rating
HazardRating_16
1
2
Miles
High
Medium
Area of Spcial Interest
Address points
Roads
Major
Arterial
0.5
Resort
Properties and
Membership Lots
0
Map designed by Christian Smith GIS
16
Areas of special interest
The 2009 Angel Fire CWPP identified four special interest areas and assigned each of them a
relative physical hazard rating (Angel Fire CWPP, 2009), which are different from community
hazard ratings. The relative physical hazard rating (RPH) has three categories; low, moderate, and
high. RPH combines the mean fireline intensity and “other fire behavior indicators such as rate of
spread, flame length, and heat per unit area” and models (Angel Fire CWPP, 2009). Table 2
below lists each of the areas of special interest and their associated relative physical hazard rating.
To date, no fuels reduction treatments have been conducted in any of the special interest areas
since 2009. As such, the 2009 ratings remain the same. Map 4 shows the areas of special interest
and their RPH.
Table 2 Areas of special interest relative physical hazard ratings and priority rankings
Priority
ranking
2009
Areas of Special interest
Angel Fire Ski Area
Chalets Unit 1A
Resort Properties and Membership
Lots
Valley Floor
Priority
ranking
2016
Relative
physical
hazard
rating
(2009)
Relative
physical
hazard
rating
(2016)
1
2
3
1
2
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
4
4
3
3
17
Map 2:
4 Areas
of special
interest Interest Ratings
Figure
Areas
of Special
Girl
Scout
Camp
Valley
Floor
MO
Valle
Grande
North
A IN
UNT
V IE
North Via
del Rey
WB
South
Village
LV D
Country
Club
The
Chalet
Vail
Loop
Chalets
Unit 1A
Valley of
the Utes
Back
Basin
Angel Fire
Ski Area
El Camino
Real
1
2
Miles
Relative Physical Hazard Rating
ASI 1
ASI 2
ASI 3
WUI Community
Address points
Roads
Major
Arterial
0.5
Resort
Properties and
Membership Lots
0
18
Areas of Special Interest
64
The
Aspens
Taos
Drive
South
East
Village
3| Priorities for 2016 and beyond
Fire adapted communities and Firewise communities
The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, a “strategic push to work
collaboratively among all stakeholders and across all landscapes” developed in 2014, lists
creating fire adapted communities as one of three primary goals along with resilient landscapes,
and safe and effective wildfire response. Fire adapted communities (FAC) is a conceptual
framework for engaging land management agencies and community stakeholders at various
scales—from the individual homeowner to businesses—to reduce wildfire risk. FAC concepts are
useful for helping communities reframe how they think about wildfire. In the West, wildfire is a
natural and ecologically necessary component of fire adapted ecosystems. Acknowledging this
fact is an important step towards becoming a more fire adapted community and a good starting
point for education and outreach to community members. Figures 1 and 2 outline the various
elements that define the FAC concept.
Figure 1 Elements of a fire adapted community
Firewise Communities is a recognition program administered by the National Fire Protection
Association that began in 2002. Firewise emphasizes fuels reduction and recommends steps
homeowners can take to reduce their individual wildfire risk. For example, landscaping practices
to reduce flammable materials close to the home and standards for pruning trees and bushes.
www.firewise.org contains several resources for homeowners, such as an online toolkit and
checklist for steps to reduce wildfire risk. Firewise recognition is achieved after a community
completes a 5-step process:
1. Obtain a wildfire risk assessment as a written document from your state forestry agency
or fire department.
2. Form a board or committee, and create an action plan based on the assessment.
3. Conduct a “Firewise Day” event.
19
4. Invest a minimum of $2 per capita in local Firewise actions for that year.
5. Submit an application to your Firewise liaison.
Firewise recognition is an important tool in the ongoing process to be fire adapted. Many
communities working to be fire adapted begin by becoming recognized as a Firewise community.
In summary, “Firewise is a designation, fire adapted is a lifestyle” (Nystrom, 2016).
CWPP implementation and action items
Many of the priority action items identified in the 2009 CWPP are ongoing and will be carried
over to the 2016 update. Some action items have been amended slightly to reflect progress made
since 2009. The CWPP core team, and members of the public, worked together to identify action
items that have been accomplished and are no longer relevant, are ongoing, and also identified
new actions that will help make Angel Fire a more fire adapted community.
Table 3 outlines the priority action items for 2016 and beyond using the same focus areas from
the 2009 CWPP. The status of each action item is described as ongoing, amended, or new.
Ongoing action items were in the 2009 CWPP and are still relevant to 2016 and beyond.
Amended action items were included in the 2009 CWPP and contain new language for 2016 to
reflect a change in conditions or progress made since 2009. Core team members and members of
the public worked together to identify new action items throughout the CWPP update process.
Table 3 also provides the original 2009 language for amended action items and greater detail for
new action items.
The Village Firewise committee will lead the effort to implement the 2016 CWPP action items. In
addition to regularly scheduled monthly meetings, the Firewise committee will prepare an annual
CWPP implementation strategy, including prioritized action items, and a review of progress made
to implement action items to the Village council. The Mayor and Council will approve the
implementation strategy within 90 days of the approval of the 2016 CWPP update and ensure that
CWPP implementation is successful.
20
Table 3 Priority action items for 2016 and beyond
Priority action items for 2016 and beyond
Public information and involvement
Status
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
Ongoing
New
New
New
New
New
Action item
Educate homeowners and potential contractors (home-building, forest thinning, landscaping etc.) about forest health and fire
prevention.
Coordinate with community groups and area Firewise organizations to promote fire prevention, fuels treatment and defensible space.
Create a group to develop fire prevention and hazard reduction messages and methods to promote community awareness and
2009
minimize the effects of a wildfire on the economy and environment.
Maintain the Village Firewise Committee to develop fire prevention and hazard reduction messages and methods to promote
2016 community awareness, minimize the effects of a wildfire on the economy and environment, and to lead implementation of
CWPP action items.
Conduct fire prevention campaigns during times when fire danger is high. Use newspapers, radio messages and signs to alert visitors
and residents alike.
In addition to regularly scheduled monthly meetings, the Firewise committee will prepare an annual CWPP implementation strategy,
including prioritized action items, and a review of progress made to implement action items to the Village council. Support and
leadership from the Mayor and Village Council are critical to this important action item.
An annual implementation strategy and review of progress will help ensure that CWPP action items are accomplished in a
Detail
timely manner.
Pursue Firewise designation for the Village of Angel Fire.
Attaining Firewise status for a community often provides the “spark” to engage community members in fuels reduction,
Detail
wildfire preparedness, and other actions related to becoming a more fire adapted community.
Establish an association of neighborhoods for the Village of Angel Fire. Engage with neighborhood representatives on wildfire
preparedness and fuels reduction projects.
Becoming a more fire adapted community requires collaboration at various scales, the smallest of which is being the
individual homeowner. Engaging and empowering neighborhood leaders to address their wildfire risk will increase the
Detail
capacity of all scales of a fire adapted community (homeowners, neighborhoods, Village officials, etc.) to address wildfire
risk.
Utilize traditional and social media to a greater extent to notify and engage with residents about wildfire incidents, preparedness, and
mitigation efforts. Consider applying for a Nextdoor.com partnership to improve neighbor-neighbor communication and to better
connect residents with village officials.
Fire adapted communities utilize a variety of outreach and communication methods. Social media is one such method that is
continually evolving. Nextodoor.com is one useful tool to help connect Village officials with residents and neighbors with
Detail neighbors in a private, useful format. Traditional mailings can also be effective. For example, a post card mailing to every
home identifying their neighborhood risk has been shown in other communities to be very useful to raise awareness and
knowledge.
Create an education and outreach program and subcommittee within the Firewise Committee.
Detail To provide more targeted and robust outreach to residents. Recruit and include volunteers outside of the current committee.
21
New
New
New
New
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
New
New
New
Include information about actions residents can take to reduce wildfire risk, emergency preparedness, etc. seasonally in utility bills.
Utility bills are one method for conducting outreach to Village residents on steps they can take to reduce their personal
Detail
wildfire risk.
Continue to host annual open house about wildfire preparedness and mitigation for Village residents with presentations by adjacent
land managers, forestry and wildfire experts, and other Village officials.
Face to face meetings with residents, Village officials, and experts in wildfire and forestry will enhance collaboration among
Detail
various stakeholders.
Use Village electronic bulletin board to promote wildfire preparedness and mitigation actions residents can take during wildfire
season.
Detail The electronic bulletin board provides another method of outreach for Village residents.
Include information about actions residents can take to reduce wildfire risk, emergency preparedness, etc. in the Sangre de Christo
Chronicle. Notices should be included seasonally as mitigation efforts can occur year round.
Reminding residents seasonally (including in the winter) is necessary if mitigation measures are to be accomplished at the
Detail
necessary scale. Consider showcasing work already accomplished by residents or the Fire Department.
Reducing structural ignitability
Expand the current Wildland Urban Interface provisions to existing structures. Develop construction standards to reduce the
vulnerability of wooden decks, especially on slopes. Implement the provisions in the highest hazard and risk areas first. Thin vacant
lots adjacent to existing structures where needed to provide adequate defensible space.
Pursue state and federal grants that can support defensible space projects on both public and private lands. Landowners and local
government can provide cost share support.
Expand the slash disposal service to encourage homeowners to reduce wildland fuels on undeveloped lots and to install and
2009
maintain defensible space around structures. Implement incentives for slash fees to support thinning.
Continue to expand green waste disposal capacity within the village to encourage homeowners to reduce wildland fuels on
2016 undeveloped lots and to install and maintain defensible space around structures. Maintain incentives for slash fees to support
thinning.
Conduct a lot-by-lot assessment of wildfire hazard within the Village.
Lot-by-lot or home site risk assessments provide valuable information to Village firefighters about how to prioritize
mitigation measures in communities. Assessments also help to educate homeowners about steps they can take to make their
Detail homes more resistant to embers showers and direct heat in the event of a wildfire. Homeowners should endeavor to make
their homes resistant to wildfire without direct suppression efforts from fire fighting resources that may be committed
elsewhere during a wildfire incident.
Develop a Geographic Information System Database (GIS) to store and utilize Village home site risk assessments for planning,
response, and educational efforts.
Detail As more home sites are assessed, the Village will require a system to store and make use of those assessments.
Work with neighboring communities (Black Lake, Guadalupita, etc.) to utilize green waste generated from fuels reduction projects,
e.g. fire wood, wood chips, etc. at little or no cost to interested participants.
Detail Managing green waste from fuels reduction projects is often resolved by connecting those with green waste (firewood, wood
22
New
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
Ongoing
Amended
Ongoing
New
Amended
Amended
Amended
chips etc.) with those in need of those materials. Utilizing green waste, rather than disposing of it (burning etc.) provides
several benefits to Village residents as well as neighborhood communities.
Finalize air curtain burner permitting process.
To take full advantage of one method of disposing of green waste, the Village should finalize and/or update air curtain
Detail
burning permits (air quality and solid waste) with the appropriate regulatory authorities.
Fuels treatment
Expand the current Wildland Urban Interface provisions to existing undeveloped lots. Treat the highest hazard and risk areas first.
Consider requirements that emphasize thinning along roadways and property lines and might not require thinning entire lots.
Conduct fuels reduction projects within or adjacent to the Village of Angel Fire based on the community hazard rating and fire
behavior analysis sections of this plan.
Pursue state and federal grants that can support fuels reduction projects on both public and private lands within the Village.
Landowners and local government can provide cost share support.
Work with the Association of Angel Fire Property Owners (AAFPO) Amenities Committee to conduct demonstration fuels
2009
reduction projects on the open space “greenbelt”trailsthroughouttheVillagethattheymaintain.
Work with the Association of Angel Fire Property Owners (AAFPO) Amenities Committee to conduct and maintain
2016
demonstration fuels reduction projects on the open space “green belt” trails throughout the Village that they maintain.
Actively participate in the planning, evaluation and monitoring of all federal, state, tribal and CFRP fuels treatment projects to assure
agencies are working together to conduct high priority projects that are effective and benefit the Village.
Consider supporting the USDA-Forest Service, Carson National Forest prescribed burn and wildfire use programs, provided
2009
that community concerns for safety and smoke management are understood and followed.
Continue to support the USDA-Forest Service, Carson National Forest prescribed burn and wildfire use programs, provided
2016
that community concerns for safety and smoke management continue to be understood and followed.
Encourage the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to participate in the Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection
Plan implementation to provide a wildlife management perspective.
Work with neighborhood representatives to develop action items and priority treatments on the neighborhood scale.
Addressing wildfire risk at the neighborhood level provides a starting point for mitigation measures in a more manageable
Detail scale and will be guided by priority rankings. By implementing a neighborhood level approach, residents and Village
officials can take a methodical approach to reducing wildfire risk.
Evacuation planning
2009 Establish signs identifying evacuation routes. Routes could be color coded to simplify instructions to the public.
2016 Install signs identifying evacuation routes.
Thin vegetation along roadways and at intersections where possible to create the greatest potential for visibility during a
2009
wildfire. Refer to the fuels treatment section of this Plan for more information.
Thin vegetation along roadways and at intersections and maintain previous treatments to create the greatest potential for
2016
visibility during a wildfire. Refer to the fuels treatment section of this Plan for more information.
Advise the public about evacuation routes and the pre-identified safety zones at the airport, community center and golf
2009
course.
23
Advise the public about evacuation routes and the pre-identified evacuation staging area behind the Village hall and fire
station #1.
Use radio stations to disseminate emergency information and advise the public of their importance as a primary source of information.
Ensure that area radio stations are aware of their importance as disseminators of emergency messages, and regularly review and
update procedures for authorizing such messages.
Investigate the potential use of warning systems such as emergency sirens, massnotificationsystems(suchas“Reverse
2009
911),helicopter-mounted public address systems, etc.
Investigate the potential use of warning systems such as emergency sirens, helicopter-mounted public address and other mass
2016
notification systems.
Conduct an evacuation drill within the village, including a test of the Colfax County reverse 911 “Code Red” system.
Conducting an evacuation drill and testing the County’s reverse 911 system will allow Village officials and residents to
address any problems identified during the drill ahead of a wildfire. After the drill and test, perform an after-action review
Detail
with officials and residents to review lessons learned and make improvements in evacuation and emergency notification
procedures.
Establish an evacuation plan for the Village, which should include the location of evacuation shelters and procedures for evacuating
pets and livestock.
An evacuation plan addressing these issues will limit confusion during an event. The evacuation plan may be added as an
Detail
appendix to the Village Hazard Mitigation Plan or Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Involve the Village Police Department, Colfax County Sherriff’s Department, State Police, and other cooperators in reviewing current
Emergency Operating Plans and conducting field exercises.
Create handouts or messages advising the public about how to prepare for an evacuation. Consider emphasizing that when getting
ready to evacuate, people should remember the “5 P‟s: Pictures, Pets, Papers, Pills and Phones.”
Fire department capacity
Improve the fire department’s Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating. Improved firefighter response, fire equipment such as a
ladder truck, additional fire stations and additional water delivery and storage capacity should improve the fire department’s Insurance
Services Organization (ISO) rating. An improved ISO rating will increase annual fire department funding and reduce homeowner
insurance rates.
Establish a position knowledgeable in forestry or natural resources to implement and enforce WUI ordinances, obtain and
manage WUI and hazardous fuels reduction grants, coordinate fire prevention activities and public involvement such as
2009
the Firewise communities program, and coordinate cooperator actions (including Forest Service, NM State Land Office,
Taos Pueblo, and local Colfax County groups).
Establish a Wildland Urban Interface Specialist position within the Village of Angel Fire Fire Department to implement and
enforce WUI ordinances, obtain and manage WUI and hazardous fuels reduction grants, coordinate fire prevention activities
2016 and public involvement such as the Firewise communities program, coordinate cooperator actions (including Forest Service,
NM State Land Office, Taos Pueblo, and local Colfax County groups), and work with the Firewise Committee and Village
staff to implement CWPP action items.
Encourage the cross-training of area fire departments, local government officials and state and federal agencies using the Incident
Command System (ICS) to manage an emergency incident.
2016
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
New
New
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
Ongoing
24
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Amended
Amended
New
New
New
Amended
Maintain the Enchanted Circle annual operating plan to coordinate area wildfire management. An annual operating plan has been
prepared cooperatively with local, state, and federal government agencies.
Participate in interagency fire incidents to increase experience. Continue to participate in the New Mexico Resource Mobilization
Plan to gain experience conducting wildfire suppression in wildland urban interface communities.
Conduct local, effective, and certified wildland fire trainings. Maintain wildland firefighter qualifications.
Consider developing a regional training center. Reach out to regional cooperators such as the Enchanted Circle, Raton Fire
2009
Department and Colfax and San Miguel County Fire Departments.
Continue to develop a regional training center. Reach out to regional cooperators such as the Enchanted Circle, Raton Fire
2016
Department and Colfax and San Miguel County Fire Departments.
Continue to improve water storage and delivery systems. Complete development of one million gallon storage tank and
2009 connect the new storage into the existing water delivery system. Study how power outages or other problems during a
wildland fire would affect water delivery.
Continue to improve water storage and delivery systems. Purchase backup generators in the event of a loss of power to
2016
continue water delivery.
Identify a community liaison that can relay relevant information between emergency personnel and residents in the event of a wildfire
or other emergency.
Identifying a community member to work with emergency personnel and residents is part of planning for during and after
wildfires and other emergencies. A community liaison will help keep residents informed, providing a trusted and familiar
Detail
voice to compliment more official channels. This liaison will likely need to be trained in the incident command system and
maintain some basic NWCG qualifications.
Establish a Community Emergency Response Team for the Village of Angel Fire and support residents interested in earning the
certification. https://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams
Utilizing existing training and certification programs will help make residents and the Village as a whole more prepared to
Detail
respond to wildfires and other emergencies.
CWPP Implementation
In addition to regularly scheduled monthly meetings, the Firewise committee will prepare an annual CWPP implementation strategy
and a review of progress made to implement action items and present it to the Mayor and Village council. The first implementation
strategy will be presented to the Mayor and council within 90 days of the approval of the 2016 CWPP update.
An annual implementation strategy and review of progress will help ensure that CWPP action items are accomplished in a
timely manner. The implementation strategy will include a prioritized list of action items, a schedule with completion
Detail deadlines, and will identify Village staff and Firewise committee members who are responsible for implementing action
items. The Mayor and Village council will approve the implementation strategy and ensure that CWPP implementation is
successful.
Create a group to develop fire prevention and hazard reduction messages and methods to promote community awareness and
2009
minimize the effects of a wildfire on the economy and environment.
Maintain the Village Firewise Committee to develop fire prevention and hazard reduction messages and methods to promote
2016 community awareness, minimize the effects of a wildfire on the economy and environment, and to lead implementation of
CWPP action items.
25
2009
Amended
2016
Establish a position knowledgeable in forestry or natural resources to implement and enforce WUI ordinances, obtain and
manage WUI and hazardous fuels reduction grants, coordinate fire prevention activities and public involvement such as
the Firewise communities program, and coordinate cooperator actions (including Forest Service, NM State Land Office,
Taos Pueblo, and local Colfax County groups).
Establish a Wildland Urban Interface Specialist position within the Village of Angel Fire Fire Department to implement and
enforce WUI ordinances, obtain and manage WUI and hazardous fuels reduction grants, coordinate fire prevention activities
and public involvement such as the Firewise communities program, coordinate cooperator actions (including Forest Service,
NM State Land Office, Taos Pueblo, and local Colfax County groups), and work with the Firewise Committee and Village
staff to implement CWPP action items.
26
Figure 2 Fire adapted communities infographic
27
4| Companion plan crosswalk
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Village of Angel Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan updated in October 2015 is an important
companion document and should be linked to the CWPP. In fact, the Hazard Mitigation Plan
ranks wildfire as the hazard with the highest impact and the highest likelihood. The total risk
score for wildfire is more than double the score for the next highest ranked hazard (drought).
Future updates to the Hazard Mitigation Plan should include the risk from post-fire flooding.
Table 4 below provides an overview of hazards and associated vulnerability scores.
Table 4 Hazard mitigation plan impact and vulnerability score for wildfire
Village of Angel Fire Hazard Mitigation Plan Impact and Vulnerability Score for Wildfire
Parameter
Definition
Wildfire score
Geographic
Extent
Duration
Environment
Health Effects
Displacement
Economy
Built
Environment
Transportation
Critical
Services
Confidence in
Government
Cascading
Effects
Size of the affected area. Includes areas not
damaged but strongly affected by the
incidents. For example, areas backed up by a
transportation accident.
How long does the acute crisis part of the
disaster last?
How damaging is the disaster for the natural
environment?
How dangerous is the disaster for the natural
environment?
5
Regional
5
30+ days
5
Permanent loss of ecosystem
2
1-10 deaths and/or 1-100 injuries
How likely is the hazard to negatively
impact the exposed population in terms of
displacement, personal property loss and
increased indebtedness?
How does the hazard affect the local
economy?
5
How does the hazard affect the ability of
residents and workers to access the
resources they need?
How does the hazard affect the ability of
residents and workers to access the
resources they need?
How likely is the hazard to reduce the ability
of government and business to provide
critical services? (Medical, Public Safety,
Social, Financial, etc.)
Would public’s confidence in government
be shaken?
How severe and complex will the secondary
effects be?
5
1000+ displaced people. More than
30% of population facing acute
shortages of basic supplies and
access to services
Physical losses equal to 10% to
assess value. Loss of ability to
generate revenue.
1000+ structures red tagged. At
least two major utilities degraded at
least 50%.
Many critical services inaccessible.
One major mode inoperable. One
major corridor inoperable.
Temporary degradation of most
critical services. Long term
degradation of multiple services.
Total vulnerability score
5
4
4
3
Somewhat
5
Secondary effects generated and
rival or exceed primary hazard.
Secondary
impacts
would
definitely be disaster in their own
right.
43
28
The Hazard Mitigation Plan divides the village into four areas, though no map was provided in
the plan:
a. Area 1- heavily forested rugged mountainous terrain with few structures (6 total)
b. Area 2 - heavily forested moderate mountainous terrain with single-family
residential structures (1,200 structures)
c. Area 3 - grassland meadows with business and multi-family condominium/hotel
structures (190 structures)
d. Area 4 - grassland meadows with business and a few single-family structures
(above grade utilities and no fire hydrants) (200 structures).
The Village of Angel Fire has identified six facilities as critical and has placed these facilities in
three operational categories: (1) must not lose operational capability, (2) must be operational
within 24 hours, and (3) must be operational within 24 to 72 hours. Map 1 shows the location of
each critical facility.
Category 1:
• Telephone Exchange (Q west) Mountain View Blvd.
• Village Fire Station 11 N. Angel Fire Road
Category 2:
• Electrical power Substation (Kit Carson) East of Hwy 434
Category 3:
• Waste Water Treatment Plant (Village) 67 Service Road
• Village Hall (Village) 3388 Mountain View Blvd.
• Water Well #1 (Village) 434 and Country Club Drive
The Hazard Mitigation Plan prioritizes 17 mitigation initiatives many of which would increase
the Village’s wildfire preparedness including:
• Priority 1 Additional Water Rights
• Priority 2 Hire Emergency Manager
• Priority 3 Fire Station 3
• Priority 5 Additional Fire Equipment
• Priority 7 Water Storage Tanks Repair or Replacement
• Priority 12 Adoption of current NFPA and Life Safety Codes
• Priority 14 Vegetation Management Program to thin forested areas creating defensible
space within the Village to protect against wildfires and provide for forest health.
According to the Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Village Planning Committee prioritized the projects
using social, economic, technological, administrative, political, legal, and environmental factors.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan includes more detail on the estimated costs, benefits, funding, and
timeline for each of these priorities.
Comprehensive plan
Like the Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Village of Angel Fire’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan addresses
some issues relevant to this CWPP. The Comprehensive Plan is a policy guide focused on the
physical development of the community built from public meetings; interviews with Village staff,
representatives from the Angel Fire Resort, and business people and students. In the Natural
Resources section, the Comprehensive Plan recommends Angel Fire become a Firewise
community. Other priorities related to wildfire mitigation in the Comprehensive Plan mirror those
in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Future updates to the Comprehensive Plan should include
references to both the CWPP and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. For more information please see
the Village of Angel Fire Comprehensive Plan at:
29
http://www.angelfirenm.gov/assets/documents/2008ComprehensivePlan-e66efb18ea.pdf
5| Wildfire preparedness
Ingress and egress
Ingress (access for wildfire suppression equipment and personnel) and egress (ways for residents
and visitors to escape the wildfire) are crucial to wildfire preparedness. The 2009 Angel Fire
CWPP (p 30) includes a discussion of treatments to maintain ingress and egress roads in safe
condition as well as a map of the key ingress/egress roads (figure 8 page 31, 2009). Some areas,
such as the Taos Drive area, are identified in the 2009 CWPP as having a single gravel road for
ingress/egress and has multiple dead ends, which could present serious problems during an
evacuation.
Smoke impacts
Wildfire smoke is not healthy and older adults, children, and people who have heart or lung
diseases are most at risk from its adverse effects. Even wildfires miles away from the Village of
Angel Fire may cloud the air with smoke and residents and the Center for Disease Control
recommends the follow measures to decrease the impact of wildfire smoke:
• Check local air quality reports;
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible by keeping doors and windows shut;
• Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution such as smoking, burning candles,
fireplaces, or gas stoves; and
• Seek shelter in a designated evacuation center or away from the affected area if
necessary.
Communication
Communication is one of the best tools for reducing the impact of wildfires. Good
communication allows firefighter to efficiently suppress wildfires, residents to evacuate if the
need arises, and responders to help those in need. In order to ensure good communication during
an incident, it is crucial to have communication before an incident. Emergency responders from
Village, county, volunteer fire departments, state, and federal agencies need to be sure they
understand each other’s communications protocols and requirements. Pre-wildfire season
meetings of key individuals are a worthwhile investment to ensure seamless communication
during a wildfire. These meetings also serve to build the personal connections and trust that can
be very important during an incident.
Communication is also important for families to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for. Often
designating an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact works best. He or she can act as
a single source of communication among family members in case of separation more efficiently
when phone, cell, and internet systems are overloaded or limited during a wildfire.
Community Emergency Response Team
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a program to help community
members be part of the response to disasters called Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT). The CERT program helps volunteers use training learned in the classroom and during
exercises to assist others in their community after a disaster when professional responders are not
immediately available to help.
30
Evacuation
Residents should be ready to leave as soon as evacuation is recommended by officials to avoid
being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. Evacuating early helps firefighters keep roads
clear of congestion and lets them move more freely to do their job.
The 2009 CWPP identified three safety zones for the Village: the airport, community center, and
the golf course. A safety zone is an area without burnable fuel that is large enough so that the
distance between the firefighters and flames is at least four times the maximum flame height.
However, in the context of an evacuation order issued for the village in the event of a wildfire, an
“evacuation staging area” more accurately describes the need and intent of previously named
safety zones. In order to clarify for residents the procedure following an evacuation order, the
area behind Fire Station #1 (11 N Angel Fire Road) and Village hall (3388 Mountain View Blvd)
was identified as the single evacuation staging area for the 2016 CWPP update. Map 5 shows the
location of the evacuation staging area. If an evacuation order is given for Village residents to
leave their homes, they should convene at the evacuation staging area and await further
instructions. Residents with livestock who may be towing trailers should also convene at the
evacuation staging area.
31
Map 5 Village safety zones
32
Before wildfire season starts residents should develop a plan for evacuation. Family members
should have an established emergency meeting location outside the hazard area and a plan for
pets and large animals such as horses and other livestock. An easy way to remember what to
prepare for an evacuation is the 6 Ps:
• People and pets
• Papers, phones numbers, and important documents
• Prescriptions
• Photos and pictures (irreplaceable memorabilia)
• Personal computer harddrives
• Plastic: credit cards, ATM cards, and cash
Knowing where all these things are when a wildfire starts can make evacuation less stressful.
The Home Evacuation Checklist from www.ReadyForWildfire.org gives a good list of how to
prepare for evacuation:
Inside the House
• Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
• Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.
• Remove lightweight curtains.
• Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
• Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.
• Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
• Shut off the air conditioning.
Outside
• Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio
furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
• Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water
buckets and place them around the house.
• Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.
• Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness
of night.
• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed.
Carry your car keys with you.
• Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly
access your roof.
• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
• Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if
you feel threatened.
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.
Animals
• Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
• Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.
33
5| Planning for post-fire recovery
Because of the significant probability of a wildfire eventually occurring in or around Angel Fire,
it is important to plan for how the community will recover after a wildfire. New Mexico State
Forestry provides an excellent resource for thinking about post-fire recovery called After Wildfire
(www.afterwildfirenm.org). In addition, many elements of post-wildfire recovery are similar to
recovery from other disasters and are covered in the Village of Angel Fire Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
The first post-fire recovery concern is safety. After a wildfire it is important that residents stay
away from their homes or businesses until officials determine it is safe to return. Because utility
services can be disrupted by wildfire:
• Do not drink or use water from the faucet until officials say it is okay;
• Use extreme caution around trees, power poles and other tall objects that may have
lost stability during the fire;
• If you have a propane tank or system, contact a propane supplier, turn off valves on
the system, and leave valves closed until the supplier inspects your system; and
• Look for smoke or sparks that may still be burning.
FEMA produces flood risk maps that can help guide post-fire
preparation for flooding (see Figure 2 below). Post-wildfire
flooding preparation should also be included in the Angel Fire
Hazard Mitigation Plan. Some homes and businesses may want to
reevaluate their flood insurance coverage in light of the fact that
post-wildfire floods are often more extensive than the flood risk
before a wildfire might indicate.
Image 6 Post-fire flooding in
Arizona
Photo: U.S. Forest Service
Post fire flooding is a major concern. The heavy monsoon season
rains common in New Mexico in the late summer and early fall
can often bring flooding and debris flows after wildfire. These
storms are typically very local, very intense, and of short
duration, delivering a lot of rain in a short amount of time. When
such storms develop over burned areas, the ground cannot absorb
the rain, so it runs off the burned area, accumulates in streams,
and produces flash floods.
34
Figure 3 National Flood Insurance Map from FEMA (panel 1100D) showing special flood hazard areas subject
to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood
The New Mexico’s After Wildfire guide suggestions communities designate a Post Fire
Coordinator (or a few coordinators) to work directly with local, state or federal agencies,
emergency response officials, volunteers, and other stakeholders to address needs and seek
assistance. Post Fire Coordinators may be part of the Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) mentioned above in the Wildfire Preparedness section.
It may be appropriate to implement post-wildfire treatments in the forest such as erosion control
or planting, but first communities should be sure to identify values at risk post-wildfire and focus
on treatment that reduce the threat to those values. The After Wildfire guide has a catalogue of
potential treatments that include:
• Seeding and mulch to reduce erosion;
• Contour log felling and other erosion barriers;
• Check dams and other channel treatments; and
• Culvert modifications and other road treatments.
35
Image 8 Spreading mulch to reduce
erosion
Image 7 A checkdam stablizes soil behind it
6| Collaboration and public participation
The 2016 CWPP update was developed collaboratively with members of the CWPP core team,
Village residents, and other stakeholders. A project website was established
(www.forestguild.org/angelfirecwpp) to announce meetings and share drafts of the 2016 update.
The CWPP core team led the collaborative effort and was comprised of village officials, adjacent
land management agencies, residents, and other stakeholders. Table 5 below lists members of the
core team who were invited to core team meetings. It should be noted that not all members of the
core team were able to meet in person. Residents and other stakeholders were also provided with
options other than meetings to provide input to the CWPP update.
Table 5 2016 CWPP core team
Name
Jimmy Linton
Bubba Davis
Dan Rakes
Andy Whitacre
Kyle Sahd
Ray Corral
Tom Vigil
Larry Osborne
Scott Jones
Michael Dean
Joe Stehling
Bob Coss
Ernie Lopez
Arnie Friedt
Mark Meyers
Ron Burnham
Brinn Colenda
Terry Cordova
Position
Tourism manager
Board of directors
General Counsel
Asst. Mountain Operations
Manger
Fire management specialist
Zone Fire Management
Officer
Emergency manager
Fire Marshall
President
Caretaker
Firewise and Fire Adapted
Communities Coordinator
Fire Chief
District Forester
Timber management officer
Forester
Fire Chief
Councilor
Assistant Village manager
Affiliation
Angel Fire Convention & Visitors Bureau
Angel Fire Property Owners Association
Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire Resort
Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field
Office
Carson National Forest
Colfax County
Colfax County
Colfax County Coalition of Firewise
Communities
Elliot Barker Girl Scout Camp
Hidden Lake Firewise Community
Moreno Valley Fire Department
New Mexico State Forestry, Cimarron District
New Mexico State Forestry, Cimarron District
New Mexico State Land Office
Red River Fire Department
36
Amos Torres
Barbara Cottom
Rick Tafoya
Christine Breault
Tracy Orr
Andy Bertges
Fabian
Mascarena
Kevin Pool
David Hartson
John Goodson
Marcos Rivera
Rick Sprott
Don Clark
Public works director
Mayor
Public Works Director
Director, Community
Development Department
Grants administrator
Fire Chief
Grants management
Captain
Member
Member
Member
President
Member
Village of Angel Fire Fire Department
Village of Angel Fire Firewise Committee
The core team convened several meetings to discuss
progress since the 2009 CWPP, identify priority
action items for the 2016 update, and to review drafts
of the final document. Table 6 below provides an
overview of all core team and public meetings
convened for the 2016 CWPP update.
Image 9 Participants at the June public meeting
Table 6 2016 CWPP update meetings
2/29/16
Core team
# of
Participants
13
3/29/16
Public meeting
26
6/27/16
Core team
meeting
12
Date
Meeting
Representation
Forest Stewards Guild, Village of Angel Fire,
Village of Angel Fire Fire Department, NM State
Land Office, NM State Forestry, Moreno Valley
Fire Department, Association of Angel Fire Property
Owners, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land
Management
Forestry, Moreno Valley Fire Department,
Association of Angel Fire Property Owners, US
Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Angel
Fire Resort
Land Office, NM State Forestry, Moreno Valley
Fire Department, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land
Management
37
6/29/16
Public meeting
14
7/28/16
Core team
meeting
5
Forestry, Association of Angel Fire Property
Owners
Village of Angel Fire Firewise Committee, NM
State Forestry
In addition to meetings, core team members and members of the public were invited to complete
a survey that helped inform priorities and action items for the 2016 update. A similar survey was
used in the 2009 CWPP. Many questions were repeated in 2016 to track changes in resident
involvement in wildfire preparedness and perceptions regarding various fuel management
practices. A paper and digital version of the survey were made available to residents. Paper
copies of the survey were distributed at the March and June public meetings. The survey was
posted online using Google forms. A link to the online survey was provided on the project
website and the Village website. Survey questions and results are included in appendix A.
Image 10 URL to resident survey displayed on Village website
The 1st draft of the 2016 update was posted on the project website ahead of the June core team
and public meetings to provide residents with an opportunity to recommend revisions and submit
their comments and concerns.
38
7| References
Anchor Point Group, LLC., The Placitas Group, Inc. 2009. Angel Fire, NM: Wildland Urban
Interface Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Retrieved from
http://www.angelfirenm.gov/assets/documents/CommunityWildfireProtectionPlan9e35a2c381.pdf
Cal Fire. 2015. Ready for Wildfire. Retrieved from www.readyforwildfire.org.
Fire Adapted Communities. 2013. What does a fire adapted community look like? Retrieved
from http://www.fireadapted.org/resources.aspx
Forests and Rangelands. (2016). National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
Retrieved from https://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/strategy/
Forest Stewards Guild. 2015. 2015 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update
Guidelines. Retrieved from
http://www.fireadaptednm.org/index.php/resources/downloads/government/download/2gov/11-2015-cwpp-update-guidelines
International Association of Fire Chiefs. 2016. Ready, Set, Go! Accessed from
www.wildlandfirersg.org
New Mexico State Forestry. 2015. After Wildfire, A Guide for New Mexico Communities.
Retrieved from http://www.afterwildfirenm.org/
Nystrom, K. (2016). Home assessments: Assessing wildland fire risk in the wildland urban
interface.
Strozier, J., Fishman, J. 2008. Village of Angel Fire Comprehensive Plan. Consensus Planning
Inc. Retrieved from
http://www.angelfirenm.gov/assets/documents/2008ComprehensivePlan-e66efb18ea.pdf
Tafoya, R., Cordova, T., Smith, B., Breault, C., Torres, A., McCaslin, B., Bertges, A. 2015.
Village of Angel Fire: Hazard Mitigation Plan, Update 10-31-15.
39
Appendix A: Resident survey responses
Whattypeofresidentareyou?
FullTimeResident
Homeowner
Seasonalresident(spring,summer,fall)
Ownerofundevelopedlot(s)
Seasonalresident(winter)
ColfaxCountyresident(outsideofVillage
ofAngelFire)
Businessowner
Homerenter
Other
0
5
10
15
20
NumberofResponses
25
Number of respondents: 32
40
NumberofRespondents
Whatneighborhoodorcommunity(ifoutsidethevillage)do
youlivein?
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
County
Country
Club
VailLoop ValleGrande
North
Village
No
Response
41
Since2009haveyoutakenanyofthefollowingstepsto
reducethewildfirerisktoyourhome?
NumberofRespondents
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
DefensibleSpace
Thinning
Structural
Improvementsto
Improvements,
Driveway
(removedwooden
deck,installedfire
resistantbuilding
materials,
screenedventsand
eaves,etc.)
Other
42
WhatdoyouvaluemostaboutAngelFireandthelocalarea?
Rateeachfromlowvalue=1tohighvalue=5
Economicopportunities
Cleanwaterandair
Accesstopubliclands
Views/naturalbeauty
Wildlife
Maintainingpropertyvalues
Recreationopportunities
0
5
1
Number of respondents:
Recreation
opportunities
Maintaining
property values
Wildlife
Views/natural
beauty
Access to public
lands
Clean water and air
Economic
opportunities
2
10
15
20
NumberofResponses
3
4
25
30
5
30
29
27
30
27
27
27
43
WhatareyourconcernsaboutfirethreateningAngelFire?
Ratefromlow=5tohigh=1
Lossofinsurability
Propertyvalueloss
Smokeimpacts
Post-fireerosion(orlandslides)
Damagetowatershedorwatersupply
Economicdisruption
Lossoflife
Personalsafetyandthesafetyoffamily
members
Damagetoyourhome
0
1
Damage to your
home
Personal safety and
the safety of family
members
Loss of life
Economic disruption
Damage to
watershed or water
2
5
3
4
10
15
NumberofReponses
20
5
32
31
30
31
31
44
supply
Post-fire erosion (or
landslides)
Smoke impacts
Property value loss
Loss of insurability
30
31
31
30
Howwouldyouprioritizethefollowingelementsof
communitywildfirepreparedness?Rateeachfromlow
value=1tohighvalue=5
Post-firerecovery
Evacuation
Homeownereducationandoutreach
Emergencynotificationduringawildfire
Defensiblespacearoundhomes
Hazardousfuelsreductioninopenspace
andadjacentlands
0
1
Hazardous fuels
reduction in open space
and adjacent lands
Defensible space
around homes
Emergency notification
during a wildfire
Homeowner education
and outreach
Evacuation
Post-fire recovery
2
2
3
4
4
6
8
NumberofResponses
10
5
14
14
14
13
14
12
45
Howsafedoyoufeelfromwildfire?
18
NumberofRespondents
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
VerySafe
Reasonably
Safe
Concerned
NotSafe
NoOpinion
Howlikelyareyoutoleaveyourhomeifitisimminently
threatenedbyfire?
2
8
17
WillNotLeave
MoreLikelytoStay
MoreLikelytoLeave
WillLeave
46
Ifyouweretoevacuatewouldyouknowwhichrouteto
use?
3
24
Yes
No
47
Doyouhaveaprearrangedmeetingplaceforfamily
membersintheeventofanevacuation?
7
19
Yes
No
48
Underwhichofthefollowingconditionswouldyoube
willingtodomitigationworkonyourproperty?
Iwoulddomitigationworkregardlessof
whatanyoneelsedoes
Onlyiftheworkwouldbefullyfundedby
governmentorprivateagencies.
Onlyiftheworkwouldbecostshared
withgovernmentorprivateagencies
Onlyifotherlandownersandmanagers,
suchasopenspaceorlocalgovernment
agencies,aredoingworkontheirland.
OnlyifIcanbeconvincedtheworkwill
improvethesurvivabilityofmyhome
Undernocircumstance
Other
0
5
10
15
NumberofResponses
20
49
Areyouawareofthefree,community-sponsoredslash
(woodydebris)pick-upprogram?
1
31
Yes
No
50
Whichofthefollowingmitigationactionsdoyoudoeach
springtoprepareforwildlandfireseason?Checkallthat
apply.
Removeflammableobjects(including
firewood,brushandothermaterials)
fromundermywoodendeck.
Repairorinstallscreenstoblocksparks
fromblowinginandundermyhome,
eaveventsandoutbuildings
Remove(orrakeaway)pineneedleson
thegroundandroof,andinthegutters
Cutgrassandweedsaroundmyhouse
Movefirewoodawayfrommyhometoa
spotupslopeanddownwind
0
5
10
15
20
NumberofResponses
25
51
Wouldyoujoinavolunteerorganizationthatfocuseson
annualactivitiesthatremovehazardousfuelsandmanages
mitigationactivitiesinAngelFireGreenSpaces.Ifyes,
pleaseleaveyournameandcontactinformationinthe
"other"option.
10
20
Yes
No
52
Rateyourcomfortlevelwiththefollowingactivities.Rate
fromlow=1tohigh=5
Cuttingandchippingorburning
hazardousfuelsandopenspaceareas
withinthevillage
Workingcollaborativelywithother
homeownersandlargelandownersto
createshadedfuelbreakstostoporslow
largewildfiresbeforetheyreachmy…
Usingprescribedburnstoreducefuels
andimproveecologicalconditions.
Cuttingandchippinghazardousfuels
(trees,limbs,brushandtallgrasses)
within100feetofmyhome.
0
1
2
2
3
4
6
8 10 12
NumberofResponses
4
14
16
5
Community Comments
What do you think it means to be a Fire Adapted Community? What can the Village of Angel Fire
do to become more fire adapted?
•
•
•
•
1.Villageshouldfocustheirforestmitigationwork(thinningandslashpickup)muchmore
stronglyinthoseneighborhoodsthathavebeenidentifiedasbeingathighestrisk.Since
adoptionofthepreviousCWPP,Ihaveseennospecialfocusonthehighestrisk
neighborhoods.
2.Villageshouldfocusattentiononvacantlotsthatareadjacenttodevelopedlots,especially
inthehighestriskneighborhoods.Oneidea:informvacantlotownersthattheymaybear
someresponsibilityfordamagefromwildfiretoadjacentdevelopedlotsandhomes.
Putmoresharpteethinthelaw/ordinances.I'mfullyinvestedinthiscommunity.Iwouldlive
nowhereelse.
Passthedraftfirewiseordinance.
Dowhatwecantoreducefiredanger.I'mstilllearningwhatthevillageisdoing.
53
•
•
•
•
•
Shadedfuelbreaksalongstrategicvillageroads
Acooperativestructuredprogram
Createafireresilientenvironmentandcapabilitytorecoverfromfireevents
Education.Refocusonthinninggrantsforpublicspacesandprivatehigh-riskareas.
Encouragecitizenstoimprovetheirownproperty.WorkwiththeAAFPOtoconvincethose
codgersthattheforestisimportantandevenmoreimportantthanthegolfcourse.Thegreen
beltsneedtobethinned!!!Thevillageneedstogettheequipmentandstaffnecessaryto
collectadisposeofslash.
• Educatethepopulation.
• Allentitiessupportandparticipatewithmoneyandtime.Coordiantedefforttogetthejob
done
• Noidea
• WorkwiththeCarsonNationalForesttoremovedownedtimberinforest.Thewoodcanbe
donatedtolow-incomeresidentsforwinterfuel.
• Moreeducationforresidents!!Townhallmeetings;factsheetwithourbills;articlesin
chambernewsletter,SangredeChristoonlinepaper,resortnewsletter,villagewebsite,
village/resort/chamberFacebookpages.Keepitsimple!
• RemovalorthinningoftheforestonpubliclandsmakessensebutIthinkthereareimmense
financialproblemsmakingmandatorythinningandremovaloftreesandbrushfrom
undevelopedlotsandtellinghomeownersthatcertaintalltreesnexttohomesaretooclose.
100feetremovalonthesmallerlotswouldforcehomeownerstodestroythebeautyoftheir
lots.Ijustdon’tthinkitisfeasible.Weboughtalot10yearsagointendingtoretireinAngel
Firebutwhengrandchildrenwereborn,mywifedidnotwanttomove.Wehavelimited
meansasretireesandwouldnotbeabletopayforthinningandcleanup.
• SOMEHOW,makehome/lotowner’sclean/cleartheirpropertiesw/financialcompensation
fromgovernmentand/orprivateentities.
• Tobepreparedtorespondtowildfire.Emphasizecommunicationsystemsandevacuation
trainingandprocedures.Afirebreakinforestrylandwestofthevillagewouldbetheonly
trulyeffectiveprotectionagainstawildfire.
• FAC->markedandthinnedevacuationroutes.LargeparcelfuelmodificationasGSranch,
greenbelts.Continueslashpickupandmulching.Continuetoencourageprivatelandowners
tofuelmodifyproperty.
• ItmeansthattheVillagehasdemonstratedaconcernforwildfiresanddeliberatelydone
constructiveactionstoreducethechancesand/orseverityoffire.
• 1.Haveapreparedcommunityforwhenafiredoeshappen,damagewillbeataminimum
2.Educate
Doyouhaveanyotherquestions,concerns,orideasregardingthe2016VillageofAngelFireCWPP
update?
• It'llbejustanotherpaperexercisethatwillbefilledandnotenforced.RefAngelFire's
numerouslong-rangeplans.
• The"Free"slashremovalprogramisn'tfree.Iamcomfortablewiththelatestdraftvillage
ordinance.
• Ithoughtourslashpickupprogramwasfree.
• Weneedagoodcommunicationsystemsuchasreverse911,AFAMradioandloudspeaker
alertsbypoliceandfirefighters.OurlandscaperhasburnedbrushpilesinwinterbutI
wouldprefernottohaveburninginvillagenow.
54
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Concernedaboutpropertyownersopposedtoanyfuelmitigationorinvestment
Focusoneducation
1.CarsonNationalForestclearcuttingsouthofresortboundary,westof434nevercleaned
up-allslash/treesleftwheretheyhittheground-tomehugefirehazard.
2.LastattemptatCWPPhassignificantslanttoward"mandatory"requirementsand
penaltiesifownerdidn'tcomply,whichresultedinaprettybigbacklash.Don'tgothere
again.
Oldtimerswillnotsupport.NeedtoreachouttoHOAandtheirpropertymanagers.
Wehavehadtroubleinthepastgettingourslashpilespickedup.Weliveinasmallcul-desacandfrequentlyrunoutofroomtoputourpiles.Wedocallrightawaybutsometimes
wewait5-6weeksandasecondcallisplacedandbegginghappensbeforetheyarefinally
pickedup.IthoughtatonetimetheVillagewasgoingtopurchaseanadditionalslashtruck
toassistintheremovingofslashandthatwasonereasonourslashfeeswentup.Itis
discouragingwhenyouaretryingtobegoodstewardsofyourpropertyandhavetrouble
doingso.
Whenwillwehaveastrategytomoveforward?
No.Asoutofstateownersofanundevelopedlot,wearediscriminatedagainstbynoteven
beingallowedtovoteonvillagefinancialmattersbutweareatriskforassessmentsand
improvements.Notreallyfair.Andwedidnotbuythelandforspeculationassomepeople
did.Ourlotwaspurchasedfor$67,000in2006anditsmarketvalueisdowntoaround
$32,000.Wehavehaditforsaleforconsiderablylessfor2yearsandstillcan’tsellit.For
anyassessments,wewouldbeforcedtoabandontheproperty.
Concerns?Always!Solutions…???
Iwillsupportthebasicplanaslongastheyarerecommendationsandkeptcompletely
voluntary!!!
55

Village of Angel Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2016 Update

Transcription

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